Phillip L. Isenberg MD

Phillip L Isenberg., MD born January 14, 1930, died on Wednesday, July 20, 2016 after a long struggle with coronary artery disease. His wife, Alice was by his side when he passed away at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Dr. Isenberg was a Harvard legend: captain of the football team and a violinist in the Harvard-Radcliffe Orchestra. He went on to Harvard Medical School and trained in psychiatry. After two years of service in the Army Medical Corps, his career took him to social psychiatry at Columbia Point Medical Center, the first neighborhood health center. He also worked at the Boston V.A. Hospital, at Beth Israel Hospital and the Joslin Clinic. His remarkable clinical talents were recognized when he was appointed to McLean Hospital as Director of Residency Training. For twenty years he mentored the young men and women who would become pre-eminent psychiatrists: clinicians, researchers and academicians. After retiring from McLean in 1994, he accepted the Clinical Chair of Psychiatry at the American University of Antigua, College of Medicine. In that capacity he supervised the psychiatric training of aspiring medical students in hospitals across America. Dr. Isenberg is survived by his wife, Alice Jelin Isenberg, his son, Marcus Isenberg, his daughter, Emily Davison, and his sister, Katharine Lavitt. He is also survived by his stepson, James Jelin, five grandchildren, and his nieces Alice Naboicheck and Carol Kohn. He was pre-deceased by his daughter, Caroline Rose Isenberg and step-daughter, Bess Emily Jelin. Burial will be private and a memorial service is planned for September. Friends are welcome Friday and Saturday from 3-5 PM and 7-9 PM at his home. Contributions may be sent to the Caroline Isenberg Travelling Fellowship at Harvard University c/o Harvard College Fund, 124 Mount Auburn Street, Cambridge, MA 02138.